Bloomington Illinois Work Comp Lawyer

Mock Interview of Illinois Workers’ Compensation Arbitrator

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Law, Lawyers, Workers Compensation ,

This what I imagine an arbitrator, what they call a Workers’ Compensation Judge in Illinois, would tell you about the inner workings of the work injury system.

Q: What is the main part of your job?

A: The most important part of my job is to decide disputed cases and provide a well reasoned ruling as quickly as possible. I understand that an injured worker’s life has been interrupted and if they meet the requirements of the law they are entitled to off work pay, medical benefits and compensation for the injury. At the same time, the employer should not have to pay for medical treatment and any additional money to a person who was not injured on the job.

Q: What are you looking for when you have a trial?

A: Really for me there are two main aspects of the case I focus on. First, are the witnesses believable. In most cases there are only one or two witnesses, and the injured worker is the person who testifies the longest. Witnesses who tell a story that doesn’t make sense do not get very far with me. Witnesses who fight the lawyers or who are angry make it difficult at times. The second part is looking at the medical records. They really do tell a story.

Q: What specifically are you looking for in the medical records?

A: Did the injured worker go to the doctor right away? It does not make much sense if you are seriously injured and delay in seeing the doctor. Did you tell the medical personnel how you were hurt? Why would someone hide important information from their doctor?

Q: Any other important information you look for?

A: Did the injured worker file an accident report? Or is there a witness to the accident. These things can certainly make an injured worker’s case stronger.

Q: What about doctor testimony?

A: Sometimes in a close case regarding whether the accident could have caused the medical condition there are some complex issues. However, in most cases the medical records really show what is happening and the doctors are just confirming what makes sense.

As mentioned, this is what I believe an Arbitrator would tell you. But remember this is just my take on important parts of a case.

Questions about your work comp case? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Make an Informed Decision About Your Work Comp Settlement

Dirk May Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, In the news, Law, Lawyers, Workers Compensation ,

There are many people who offer an opinion, yet they do not understand the truth, the law, or the facts in a Illinois work injury case.

Beware of friends or relatives who tell you that they know someone who got a big settlement from their workers’ compensation injury.

The law is structured so that most settlements range from $1,000 t0 $50,000.

A much smaller percentage range from $51,000 to $100,000.

Very few will settle for more than $100,000.

The reason is that the law is written so that the value of the case is tied to your average weekly wage.

The higher the wage, the higher the settlement value.

The law is also based on whether you have had a surgery and the restrictions you have.

The more restrictions, the greater the value.

Why is this important?

Because some people speak without knowing the law and the facts that apply to your case.

Do not be mislead and jeopardize your settlement.

Make sure that you get an opinion from an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation lawyer.

It may save you money and insure that you recover a fair settlement.

Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371 to discuss your case.

Police officer in Jerseyville critically injured, burglary suspect killed in shootout | Law and order | stltoday.com

Dirk May Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, In the news, Law, Workers Compensation ,

Injured Jerseyville officer is former St. Louis police officer.

Source: Police officer in Jerseyville critically injured, burglary suspect killed in shootout | Law and order | stltoday.com

Click above to read.

In Illinois, Police Officers injured on the job are entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits. This includes payment of medical expenses, off work pay at the rate of 66 percent of the weekly rate, and payment for the value of the injury based on a certain number of weeks per body part. Illinois does not have a schedule based on the type of injury. Each injury must be determined on its own with negotiation between the insurance company and the injured worker. Assaults against officers are included in work comp claims.

Get Inside the Judge’s Head to Win Your Work Comp Case

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Workers Compensation ,

You must understand how the Judge views your work injury case to present your best possible case.

The Judge, whose title is Arbitrator, will decide whether or not you win and how much you win.

Let’s take a look at a few different situations from the Judge’s perspective.

1. The injured worker is asked whether she told her boss about her fall and torn knee at work.

She testifies that she told her boss a week later because she was afraid that her boss would get mad at her and fire her.

The Arbitrator thinks it is strange that the worker waited so long to tell the boss if she had a serious injury, and company policy requires prompt reporting of all injuries.

2. The injured worker is asked when he went to the  doctor for his back pain.

The injured worker testifies that he waited to see the doctor for two weeks because he thought the pain would get better.

The Arbitrator does not believe the pain was that bad if he was able to hold off on seeing the doctor.

3. The injured worker testified that he stopped seeing the doctor after his back surgery, however his pain kept him from lifting more than 10 pounds and he was unable to stand more than 20 minutes at a time.

The Arbitrator is unable to understand why a person would stop seeing the doctor if his limitations were that severe.

4. The injured worker testifies that she told her supervisor immediately after hurting her shoulder lifting 30 pound bags and completed an accident report detailing the accident and injuries to her neck and right shoulder. The injured worker has medical records of a doctor visit the same day and a history of the accident sustained. She has medical records with off work notes, and restrictions detailed.

The Arbitrator finds it easy to understand how the accident happened and the nature and extent of the injuries.

Help the Arbitrator make it easy  to rule in your favor.

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Bloomington, Illinois Work Injury Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

To hell and back: Area man minimizes opioids, maximize other treatments | Local News | pantagraph.com

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, In the news, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Workers Compensation , , ,

DAWSON — Larry Marxman has been to hell and back.

Source: To hell and back: Area man minimizes opioids, maximize other treatments | Local News | pantagraph.com

Chronic pain is a major issue with many Illinois Workers’ Compensation injuries and Social Security Disability cases. Getting the pain under control often allows the person to return to work.